College Football Preview

As in previous years, the main topic will be the ever changing and controversial status of college football today and the general direction of college athletics in the future. The days of Wally Butts, Frank Howard and Bobby Dodd, which many Highlanders are still young enough to remember, are long gone. The focus will be on SEC and ACC football programs but also will include some programs that have not recently been in the national championship discussions. Now that the national championship playoffs have expanded to twelve teams: How will the selection process work? Where will games be played? What impact will this have on the various athletic conferences? Do traditional bowls have a future in light of the post-season departures of key players? What challenges in roster management face all sports programs – not just football – because of NIL and the transfer portal? Barnhart will talk about his new book, The 19 of Greene: Football Friendship and Change in the Fall of 1970. Smith will discuss his new book, How Bout Them Dawgs! After the program, enjoy complimentary signature cocktails, beer, wine and light bites at the meet-n-greet tailgate party, from 4:00- 5:00pm. Location: Village Green Cashiers, NC (Please do not call the Village Green to register)